The most recent problems at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant may have deeper implications for TEPCO, particularly with regard to restarting its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata Prefecture. During an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun, NRA Chief Shunichi Tanaka did not overtly dismiss the idea of granting approval to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reactors, which the utility hopes will bring it back into financial solvency. But, he noted, “We will first and foremost evaluate the situation with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. [It] has been hit by trouble almost every day. We must wait until the current situation is settled and the utility can properly manage the facility. We will [then] examine if TEPCO is actually implementing what it states [it will].” Tanaka added, “The work environment at the Fukushima plant is fairly harsh. For such tough work, TEPCO’s regular employees should take the lead, but I wonder what actually has been going on at the site. TEPCO tends to use subcontractors and is likely to have avoided directly tackling [the problem].” He said that the NRA would take special care in evaluating the safety of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility. “We can’t work on the [Kashiwazaki-Kariwa] plant as quickly as other nuclear plants. The public won’t tolerate that.”

In more bad news for Japan, a citizens’ watch group is reporting numerous radioactive hot spots at future venues for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, all located in and near Tokyo. The new data negates statements by Prime Minister Abe insisting that the situation is “under control” and that radiation levels in Tokyo are safe. The group asked 92 private citizens to use personal dosimeters to measure nine spots above both asphalt and grass at each of a number of proposed Olympic venues, checking readings at 5 cm and 1 meter above ground. The group then calculated the median measurement for each site, in order to reduce error. They found radiation levels high enough to require decontamination at the Yumenoshima Stadium, which Tokyo plans to raze in order to build facilities for equestrian events. Soil there contained 3,040 Bq/kg of cesium. Other venues with high radiation levels included the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, planned site for table tennis matches; the Yoyogi Gymnasium, proposed site for handball; and the Uminomori Cross Country Course, where equestrian events may be held. The group was not able to assess some of the other 37 proposed sites because they were too far away or construction was taking place there.

Takehiko Tsukushi, head of the citizens’ radiation assessment group, said, “The central and Tokyo metropolitan governments have not informed athletes and audiences around the world about data concerning possible radiation exposure…I felt it was our moral responsibility as citizens to conduct the measurement and inform people.” Tokyo government officials continue to insist that their own measurements have not shown high levels of radiation, and say that there is not a problem. Kunikazu Noguchi, an Associate Professor of radiation protection at Nihon University, is urging the metropolitan government to conduct additional testing. “Saying that there is no problem without even measuring for radiation is the same response as the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government [denying that there were nuclear meltdowns] immediately after the Fukushima nuclear accident. As host nation for the Olympics, it is imperative that radiation levels at the venues be released,” he said. The citizens’ group notified the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and more than 200 national Olympic committees of its findings, but so far has received no response.

33 of 50 Bluefin Tuna Off California Coast Radioactive from Tokyo Electric
October 3, 2013 Intellihub News
Bluefin Tuna off the coast of California has been found to be contaminated with radiation.
CALIFORNIA — 33 of 50 Bluefin Tuna off the coast have been contaminated with radioactive Cesium 134, possibly from the previously decimated Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant which lies on the East coast of Japan reported NHK World.
According to the report, the radiation is accumulative, and the fact that Tuna is at the top of the food chain is even more concerning. According to the report “juvenile” tuna migrate from the waters of Japan over a 4 month period yearly.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) Boris324
says:

Prime minister Abe wanted the Olympics in Japan at any cost. He is putting his citizens and world athletes in grave danger with radioactive venues. Th...

Prime minister Abe wanted the Olympics in Japan at any cost. He is putting his citizens and world athletes in grave danger with radioactive venues. The lies from him and TEPCO would make one not believe a word coming out of their mouths. Instead of looking out for the Japanese people they are worried about the bottom line. The world community should be up in arms about cover ups and lies concerning Fukishima and the small amount of progress being made. Thank you Ms. McCann and Greenpeace for all the great updates. Don't let up.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) Lisa Page
says:

America deserves what is about to hit them for doing NOTHING. I feel very sorry for the sea life and the irreversible damage that is being done to it....

America deserves what is about to hit them for doing NOTHING. I feel very sorry for the sea life and the irreversible damage that is being done to it. Mother Nature will not let this go unpunished. She will reclaim what is rightfully hers and restore it.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

Joe Rosario
says:

Really @ Lisa US Americans deserve this? Why its the elite not us. Who in there right mind would build nuclear powers plants on a earth quake zone. No...

Really @ Lisa US Americans deserve this? Why its the elite not us. Who in there right mind would build nuclear powers plants on a earth quake zone. Not just one but three. We will all get sick from this Not just US Americans.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) Dr. Candace
says:

To Joe, there is no elite us and them, if you consume electricity then nuclear is on the grid. americans have built nuclear in earthquake zone, Trojan...

To Joe, there is no elite us and them, if you consume electricity then nuclear is on the grid. americans have built nuclear in earthquake zone, Trojan, Hanaford, they are also leaking into Columbia River. We are on one planet, we are in this together, noone deserves anything, but we need to collectively stop new construction,take care of those failing, and Im not sure how this will be done when it is true the richest oligarchy is controlling all of it. But being a victim is not the answer.